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At the beginning of last season, the Hammers hierarchy knew they had pushed the boat out, laying out close to £100 Million in players acquisitions, but more importantly they engaged a 'proper' title winning manager in the form of Manuel Pellegrini. Despite a woeful start and a dreadful injury list, Pellegrini's team eventually found their feet by playing open exciting football, dare we say 'the West Ham way'.

The weeks leading up to the start of a new Premier League season are always full of anxiety and anticipation. The players, back from their summer vacations, are busy with practices while keeping a watchful eye on the transfers. The clubs are putting in all the efforts to form a team that will take them to the top. The fans, on the other hand, can’t wait to watch their favourite team perform.

Despite appearing to have put all their eggs in one basket in their failed pursuit of Celta Vigo's Maxi Gomez, it is inconceivable that Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos do not have a plan (b), a plan (c) or even a plan (z) ! The most recent, and most intriguing name being linked with the Hammers recruitment team is Eintracht Frankfurt's Sebastian Haller, the 25 year old French striker just enjoyed a prolific season in the Bundesliga, scoring on average a goal every other game.

Having been on the receiving end of being financially out muscled on numerous occasions when it comes to player purchasing, the boot is on the other foot for West Ham United. Despite offering the full €50 Million of Maxi Gomez's release clause, albeit in instalments, and offering twice the wages, the 22 year old Uruguayan striker has chosen to remain in Spain and join Valencia in what is a cut price deal.

Hindsight being the wonderful thing that it is has shown that West Ham would have fared far better in their sale of Marko Arnautovic had it been completed in January as opposed to now, however there are several points that need to be looked at, primarily the financing of the deal to sell Arnautovic and the finances that were available at the time to push through the purchase of main target Maxi Gomez from Celta Vigo.

West Ham United have officially confirmed want away striker Marko Arnautovic has left the club, the £22.5 Million received from Shanghai SIPG will be re-invested towards the purchase of Maxi Gomez from Celta Vigo.

With so much to-ing and fro-ing with regards to the Maxi Gomez transfer we asked our old Org colleague David Dalby to check things out, David is a retired journalist who now lives in Spain and is not only fluent in Spanish but is really well connected with Barcelona and Malaga football clubs, indeed he is close friends with the owners of Malaga.

When Marko Arnautovic signed a contract extension in January which included a £20,000 per week pay rise, he said: "The fans gave me the power, they gave me the energy, that's why I have to be here and that's why I want to stay." Et tu Brute?

You would think having a brand new state of the art stadium, champion's league football and a much sought after manager would be good enough for Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy, however his 'need for speed' continues to encompass his large energy wastage on trying to 'muck' things up for 'rivals' West Ham United at every opportunity.

Now that Danijel Arnautovic has yet again thrown the toys out of the pram on his brother's behalf, any hope or thoughts that the mighty sulk might knuckle under and start repaying the faith shown him by West Ham have fallen by the way side. After all, "'Marko' is not a trick pony or a commodity" and therefore deserves to be playing in China where he can win medals while wearing his oxygen mask.